Followers

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Utility Quilting....Lovely Quilting!

Well, it is no secret that I LOVE hand quilting! And hand quilting (or pick stitching) with perle cotton is my all time favorite form of quilting.

Carolyn Forster asked me to be a part of the Blog Tour for her new book and I was thrilled!!!

The book, Utility Quilting is a must have for anyone who would like to learn to hand quilt with perle cotton....OR....for those who love to hand quilt and are looking for new ideas.

I adore this book! There are several great stitches that can be used to finish a quilt. One of my favorites is Crows Footing {even the name is fun} and then there are the little X's in the Running Cross Stitch! So Cute!!!

One of my pet peeves with quilting books is that they don't really explain both in words and pictures the complete process of quilting...

Not so with Utility Quilting!

You will find complete instructions from gathering the tools to making the templates to laying down the stitches.

I decided for my part in the blog hop, I would quilt my Anthro-knock off Triangle Quilt - following Carolyn's instructions.

I did somersaults when I saw Carolyn includes instructions for making a Mennonite Fan template!!!

So I chose the Mennonite Fan as my quilting design....

and followed her instructions to make my template.

Then I transferred my design to my quilt using Bohnin chalk pencils.

Aurifil Wool Thread was my thread of choice for this quilt.

Utility Quilting offers recommendations regarding stitching supplies... as well as tips for starting and ending your stitches....basting and binding. Even complete instructions for several quilts!

The Mennonite Fan design for this quilt just ripples across the quilt. For the top border I used a technique Carolyn calls thumb quilting. I simply echoed the fan design using my thumb as the a measuring tool.

I love the look of these fans stitched in wool! The back of my quilt is Essex linen and I think it shows off the design so nicely....

A sea of Mennonite Fans.....with a little thumb quilting thrown in....what could be better?

Well, maybe winning a copy of Utility Quilting for yourself would be better! Pop over to Carolyn's blog and comment....you may win a book and some other fun stuff as well!!! Yay!

Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes for my mom. I appreciate every single positive thought....keep 'em coming!!!!

You are such a talented and generous quilter Mary! This quilt is going to look amazing! I love the Aurifill wool thread- it moves through the layers so effortlessly. Thank you for sharing with us during this difficult time. Hugs and prayers from down under. S xxx

Beautiful. I so want to learn to quilt with perle cotton but never know what to do with the knot. Seems it would be so big to pull thru the top. I headed to Carolyn's blog to sign up but for the life of me I can't find how to comment. I can find all the other comments but nowhere to add mine. :( I guess I will just look for the book in the store. Thanks pam

I just think you are amazing!! I totally luv everything you do! Your color choices are fantastic your projects are always current,well done and soo very attractive! And you give us great tips and advice even when things are tough at home!!! Wow -you ARE TRULY AMAZING!!!

Anna! I hope you see this! Good for you hand quilting :) I would love to see it when things settle down and I am back in the shoppe. I miss Josh too....he is a very special little guy! It is a treat to see him on Saturdays :)

Mary - I'll certainly bring the quilt in when you are back! In the meantime, if you like, you can also take a peek at this picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/peachyseam/6938512157/in/photostreamTake care!